TASTE Williamsburg Greenpoint is an outdoor celebration of North Brooklyn’s local flavor! Featuring over 40 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries, along with live music and more all with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. Ahem… and Brooklyn Cupcake will be a part of it!

Join us on September 7th, 2014 • 1pm – 5pm • The East River State Park

All proceeds from the event benefit the building of the Northside Town Hall Community and Cultural Center.

Brenda K. Starr is an American singer-songwriter who was one of the biggest names in freestyle music during the 1980’s. Her Grammy-nominated #1 pop ballad, “I Still Believe”, peaked at #13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Starr also landed a role in the 1984 hip-hop film, Beat Street, where she portrayed herself as a singer at an open-mic audition. Two of her songs were on that film’s soundtrack, “I Still Believe” and the club/dance smash, “What You See is What You Get”.

Many fans don’t know this but, Starr was born as Brenda Kaplan to a Jewish American father, organist Harvey Kaplan (also known as Harvey Kaye of the 1960s band, “The Spiral Starecase”) and a Puerto RicanRoman Catholic mother.[1] While on hiatus to build her family, Starr decided to learn Spanish. A few years later, Starr successfully reinvented herself as a Salsa/Tropical and Latin Pop artist earning herself nominations by the Latin Grammy and Billboard Latin Music Awards. In 2002, Starr’s, “Por Ese Hombre” was nominated, “Best Salsa Single” and “Temptation” was nominated, “Best Salsa Album” by the Latin Grammy Awards. And in 2006, Starr’s “Tu Eres” was nominated, “Best Salsa Single” by the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Today, Starr is shifting from singing Salsa to a new sensual and sexy Bachata with her new bilingual single, “Yo Te Extraño Tanto / I Miss You Like Crazy”. Check it out on Starr’s website: http://www.brendakstarr.com or on iTunes. In her personal life, Starr is getting ready to welcome a grandchild in January. Her daughter Kayla’s baby shower cupcakes and tower will be provided by Brooklyn Cupcake! Many people don’t know this either… “our” Carmen used to sing free-style back in the day too! ;)

As good mother’s we play a unique role in our children’s lives… one that may go unnoticed or taken for granted. Now, imagine the role of a mother with a child that has special needs. Every day brings unique challenges that can wear her down or build her up. Every day her strengths and weaknesses are tested. Every day she must fight and advocate for her child. Every day this mother will protect their integrity by embracing her child’s uniqueness. Every day she will find renewed hope and strength in the love she has for her child. This special mother cries, grieves, and mourns what could have been and what may come of her child. But, she must be strong enough to choose to celebrate, value and appreciate the special gift she has received… as tomorrow is not promised.

Our new friend and aspiring entrepreneur, Lisa Collado, is one of these very special mothers who faces her life enmeshed with her medically-fragile child with an incredible amount of strength and courage. Every day Lisa realizes the frailty and preciousness of life and shows her amazing three-year-old daughter, Camilla, unconditional love and devotion. And, she does so alone.

Lisa has always been an ambitious individual. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, she was determined to make a great life for herself and after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Lisa moved to New York City. A year later, she met Camilla’s father and they and got married. The following year, the couple was blessed with a beautiful baby girl who they named Camilla.

Camilla was the product of an uneventful pregnancy, but was born via cesarean section as she suffered from Hypoxia (Low Heart Rate, Respiratory Distress) as a result of Merconium Aspiration. Camilla was immediately transferred to a hospital that was better equipped to handle High-Risk Newborns. She remained in the NICU for one month due to Respiratory Distress, Feeding Issues, Jaundice and Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone). A multitude of diagnostic tests were performed to rule out a possible neurological disorder before she was released from the hospital. One week later, Camilla was re-admitted with the following symptoms: Respiratory Distress, Low Heart Rate, Low Sugar, and Low Body Temperature. She was released one week later with a diagnosis of Mild Hyperthyroidism which was remediated with Synthroid. Camilla’s parents thought their daughter’s health issues were resolved. At almost two years of age, Camilla underwent Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy surgeries while suffering from “Undetected” Severe Pneumonia which resulted in a Stroke. For two months, Camilla resided in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where she was intubated; given a Tracheotomy; and a Gastrostomy Tube. Prior to being released, Camilla was diagnosed with: Tracheobronchial Malacia; Chronic Lung Disease; Dysphasia; Hypotonia; Hypothyroidism; Sleep Apnea; and Global Developmental Delays. Currently, Camilla continues to require supplemental oxygen; a suction machine for her Trach; a G-Tube for feeding; and wears Eye Glasses. Camilla continues to undergo multiple surgeries and emergency hospital admittances. Unfortunately, Camilla’s father was not able to come to terms with his daughter’s special needs diagnosis, which eventually led to a Separation.

Lisa has encountered numerous obstacles since she became a mother, but her love and appreciation for her special gift does not dwindle. She embraces her daughter with every breath of her being which makes Lisa an even more determined strong young woman. In an effort to help other special needs Latino parents, Lisa created a Facebook page for Camilla called, Unidos en Oracion por Nuestra Camilla (United In Prayer for Our Camilla), to help them find hope and strength during difficult times. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unidos-en-Oracion-por-Nuestra-Camilla/199985920044227?fref=ts

Lisa has also decided to start her own home-based small business allowing her to care for Camilla and earn extra income. Brooklyn Cupcake has already collaborated with Lisa on numerous creative projects and hope that one day she will become an integral part of our company and/or attain her own company. Brooklyn Cupcake applauds and praises Lisa for being an amazing special mother and determined Latina entrepreneur and we celebrate her this Mother’s Day and always.

DUMBO is the Brooklyn neighborhood that sits beneath two of Brooklyn’s most famous bridges, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Beyond simply defining the neighborhood’s location, these bridges define the essence of DUMBO, both past and present. DUMBO is considered by some, the golden child of the NYC renaissance. Twenty years ago, DUMBO was a worn-out industrial zone home to artists and squatters. Today, DUMBO has an appealing mixture of elements: historical district, cultural destinations, waterfront, spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, NY Harbor, and fabulous Brooklyn Bridge Park. You still see old warehouses and cobble stone streets, but designers, techies and stock brokers have moved in and opened up boutiques, furniture stores, galleries, food trucks, and high-priced apartment buildings. In DUMBO, you can find art galleries, shows, and festivals. It is home to the famous pizzeria, Grimaldi’s, as well as Jacques Torres Chocolate Shop, St. Ann’s Warehouse (which hosts edgy theatrical performances), and, of course, Brooklyn Cupcake!

How to get to DUMBO:

Via Subway

A/C train to High Street, exit onto Cadman Plaza West. Walk left, toward the overhead highway; the street changes name to Old Fulton Street. Walk down the hill and bear left as you approach the East River. Continue on Fulton to DUMBO’s Front Street to get a sense of the neighborhood.

2/3 train to Clark Street, take the Henry Street exit. Walk left on Henry Street. Go left on Cadman Plaza West/Old Fulton Street and walk downhill to the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, located at the bottom of the hill, at the waterfront.

F train to York Street, walk one block down Jay Street toward Manhattan, turning left at Front Street. Take Front Street until Old Fulton Street, turn right. The Turn left on Front Street. Proceed straight until Old Fulton Street. Turn right. The entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park is located at the bottom of the hill, at the waterfront.

Via Bus

The B25 bus stops at Fulton Ferry landing. This bus runs from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Fort Greene to Downtown Brooklyn to Fulton Ferry, and back. Visitors to DUMBO who are unable to walk more than a few blocks might save a bit of walking by taking the bus to and from a stop within blocks of the 2 or 3 subway stop at Clark Street and back.

To avoid frustrating route changes, always check subway and bus schedules on Hopstop or the New York City MTA Trip Planner website. Also, the aforementioned subways above are at least a quarter of a mile from the beginning of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Via Walking/Biking

You can enjoy fabulous views of the Statue of Liberty, New York harbor, the East River, and other NYC bridges. How long does it take to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge? If you are a fast walker, Allow 25-30 minutes. If you want to take a romantic walk with your honey, allow 45 minutes. If you a tourist or photographer, allow 60 minutes. Please also note that there’s going to be construction on the Brooklyn Bridge until 2014. Therefore, be sure to get timely information from the source: The NYC Department of Transportation at:

How to Drive Over the Brooklyn Bridge from Midtown and Other Areas in Manhattan North of the Brooklyn Bridge

Take the FDR Drive South (that’s the Franklin D Roosevelt Drive, also known as the East River Drive) in the direction of Battery Park.

Take exit #2, with signs marked as “Brooklyn Bridge /Manhattan Civic Center”, on a right side ramp. When you see the sign, it’s a good idea to shift into the far right lane as the exit to the Brooklyn Bridge becomes congested. At rush hour there’s a long back up of cars exiting onto the Brooklyn Bridge.

How to Get to DUMBO (not Brooklyn Heights or Downtown Brooklyn) When Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge

Non-drivers can easily miss this turn off, which is the first exit off the Brooklyn Bridge, on the right hand side. It’s often busy, because this is also the exit for drivers wishing to get on the Belt Parkway. So, here are the directions to DUMBO, once you’re driving across the Brooklyn Bridge:

Exit off the Brooklyn Bridge onto a right hand ramp. Take the right fork of this ramp, onto Cadman Plaza West toward I-278, which is also the Bklyn-Queens Expressway via the Belt Parkway.

Stay in the right hand lane as you loop around and head downhill; the Brooklyn Bridge looms into sight. Do not go left onto the highway access ramp.

On the right, you will see 1 Front Street, the new home of pizzeria Patsy Grimaldi’s.

To go to the heart of DUMBO, make a sharp right onto Front St.

For detailed directions, check your destination’s website.

DUMBO ACTIVITIES and UPCOMING EVENTS

Jane’s Carousel is a completely restored historic Carousel with 48 exquisitely carved horses, and 2 superb chariots. Jane’s Carousel is now open in Brooklyn Bridge Park, in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, where it is magically set on the East River, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The Carousel is housed in a spectacular Pavilion designed by Pritzker Prize winning French architect Jean Nouvel. Jane’s Carousel will delight children, as well as visitors from around the world, for many generations to come. For more info: http://janescarousel.com/

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy runs a robust schedule of weekend family programs that feature such topics as recycling, boats, storytelling, masks and solar power. Their hands-on educational programs about the natural environment are geared to kids of all ages, from kindergarten through high school, and are used by public schools and summer camps. Tots will enjoy two great playgrounds with the world class views in Brooklyn Bridge Park. They can roll down grassy hills and hop along the walkways that go around in this park. Depending on when you visit, you might find: kayaking, sports and chess lessons in summer; Easter egg hunt for children in spring; sledding and snowman building in winter.

The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is located in a landmark fireboat house on the Fulton Ferry Pier. Every classic, artisan-style, ice cream treat is made at the highest level syrups, sundaes, banana splits, milk shakes and more.

Smorgasburg DUMBO – Sunday, 11am-6pm, Rain or Shine
Smorgaburg happens every Sunday in Brooklyn Bridge Park on the DUMBO waterfront at the historic Tobacco Warehouse, featuring packaged and prepared foods, purveyors from New York City and across the region, and other food-related vendors (kitchen utensils, housewares, etc.), for a total of 75-80 vendors http://www.brooklynflea.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Vendor-List-Sunday-April-21.pdf

BKLYN Designs – Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 12
New York’s Annual Exhibition of designers of contemporary furnishing, lighting, and accessories made or designed in Brooklyn, all handpicked by a jury of editors from leading design and shelter magazines.
All day, St. Ann’s Warehouse and Jay Street
Anticipated attendance: 5,000
Email: dumbo@dumbonyc.org, if you’d like to get involved

Flea Food in the Archway: June – October, Thursdays/Fridays, Hours TBD.
Serving lunch and dinner under the historic Archway which runs under the Manhattan Bridge between Anchorage Place and Adams Street
Email: dumbo@dumbonyc.org, if you’d like to get involved

As “Cupcake Wars” participants, “Brooklyn Cupcake” knows how stressful the “Food Network’s” fast-paced competitions can be! In just a few weeks,our new friend, Sunny Anderson, host of “Cooking is Real” and “Home Made in America” (which we were featured on), will be competing for a chance to win the title of “All-Stars Champion” and a $50,000 donation to charity on the “Food Network’s, Chopped All-Stars”. Be sure to watch the premiere on Sunday, April 7th @ 9pm/8c and route for Sunny Anderson!